Monthly Archives: July 2010

Paint it Pink

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All photos courtesy Graham Warner
Long before we built Fleur de Lys Villa, we lived in a cozy little beach side rental in Thompson’s Cove.  The rustic property consisted of a two story duplex and a much larger main house with traditional Caribbean wrap around porches.  We inhabited the upstairs studio when new tenants moved into the main house.  Graham and Dionne Warner were a friendly couple from Saskatchewan who quickly invited us over for dinner.  Over that meal we got to know our new neighbors and had lots of laughs thanks to their fantastic humor. We listened intently as Graham shared their love story and talked about how useful knowing the 5 love languages is in any relationship.  When we heard Dionne’s story, a touching account of surviving breast, brain, and liver cancers, clearly it was a miracle to be sitting next to this woman.   Dionne is a shining example of when life throws you lemons, you make lemonade.  Through her every adversity she puts on a smile.  Late last year we received the disheartening news that Dionne had yet another battle with cancer to win, not only did she put that beautiful smile back on, she once again put glowing smiles on everyone around her. 
Dionne bringing the warmth of Turks and Caicos to her hospital
Hospitals are not well known for being “fun” places to go.  In fact, most people dread walking through hospital doors even when entering as a visitor versus a patient. Dionne and Graham decided they were going to make it fun and cheerful to go for chemotherapy and testing, and make it a good time for everyone else too; doctors, nurses, friends, family, other patients, innocent bystanders:)  Graham has been sharing e-mails since late last year, documenting their creative and catchy themes and Dionne’s progress. 
Dionne in her “Ho, ho, ho” suit last December and with her father bringing their Jamaican heritage to the theme party
I personally loved the Mexico theme in honor of their personal chef Mariana
One June 11th Dionne walked in the Canadian Cancer‘s Relay for Life, where hundreds of supporters showed up to support other survivors, current fighters, and those that were honored in memory.
Dionne and Graham were able to make a trip to Provo for Easter so Dionne could fulfill her wishes to have sand beneath her toes and sunshine on her face.  Pictured here with fellow island buddies, I mean bunnies!
Dionne has been a huge inspiration to me and probably anyone who meets her.  She tirelessly crusades for cancer causes, only resting when her treatments literally knock her out like in the above photo.  Please join Dionne’s “angel network” and help her fight this nasty opponent called cancer.  This week is paint it pink canada week, calling on everyone to think pink today and enter Avon’s make, create, or do something in pink  contest.
I rallied my art students at the ECG Youth Center to create a special statement in pink to honor Dionne and her words to live and fight cancer by; DETERMINATION, LOVE, COURAGE, FAITH, HAPPINESS, HOPE, and STRENGTH.  Keep fighting the good fight Dionne!

Art classes at the ECG Youth Center

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All images by pepperkeystacie
This week I taught a couple of drawing classes at the ECG Youth Center.  On Mondays class my students learned about the different types of light and which types are best when drawing still life’s.  Each student drew a sphere and began shading techniques to create dimension and realism.  The kids excitement factor of our subject matter was nearly nonexistent so I decided Wednesday’s class we would move on from inanimate objects to drawing correct facial proportions.  This time we had some giggles, many questions, and loads of determination.  The majority of the students really took their time, pencils and erasers working diligently to get lines just right.  After all their hard work, we ended the class with a quick and fun paper plate drawing for one of the directors, Nikita.  I love how varied, colorful and carefree these turned out.
If you are in the TCI and have some spare time to volunteer, please call directors Nikita or Roxanne Wake-Forbes on 649.332.9605.

Abbie and Grant visit Fleur de Lys

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Images courtesy of Grant and Abbie via facebook
Last week Fleur de Lys Villa welcomed Grant and Abbie from Colorado.  Grant and his older siblings have been long time friends of mine from Wyoming, where Abbie also has family roots, so it was nice to do some decade due catching up.  Grant was celebrating his 30th birthday island style-snorkeling, swimming, and sleeping in!  They loved the villa inside and out, the above images were just a few of the many photos they took on the property during their week long holiday.
Here’s the happy couple, and a distant sailboat nestled between their shoulders, on one of their sunset walks along Grace Bay Beach.  They spent the majority of their trip on Providenciales, but took an adventurous day trip to North and Middle Caicos where they had the gorgeous Mudjin Harbor and Dragon Cay to themselves.
What an incredible sunset they captured here, reflections in the water fading into shimmering turquoise clarity  close to the shore.  Their last night we attended the beach bonfire party for Race for the Conch, a one mile eco-seawim.  This Green Globe event had a fantastic turnout, both for the early afternoon race and for the evening celebration.  They could not have asked for a a better way to say goodbye to the island,  barefeet in the sand, jerk chicken on the plate, music and laughter all around, and a starry sky to soak it all in. 

Ashley Greene, Eclipse, and SoBe

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Photography by Raphael Mazzucco
The Twilight films have made mega-stars of the cast; the media coverage on the latest Eclipse premiers have been an indication that the popularity of the films and the young stars is ever increasing.  I had the opportunity to work with Ashley Greene, who plays Alice Cullen in the series, last November on a photo and video shoot for SoBe Life Water.  Ashley was delightful, very down to earth and such a trooper throughout the entirety of the production. Ashley underwent 12 hours of body painting each day by famed make-up artist Joanne Gair, and her amazing assistants, Isaac and Elizabeth.  While the majority of the crew were still getting shut-eye, the production team lead by Robie Yamamoto, the make-up team, and Ashley were starting our work day at 2am!   I have a soft spot for Robie, who’s astonished face did not even crack a grin when, soon after arriving on location in the darkness of the wee hours of the morning, I walked straight into a glass door in full stride!!!  The experience was far more effective than a cup of coffee for a wake-up call:)  To see the incredible detail in the airbrushed and hand painted make-up application click here and then check out Ashley’s behind the scenes interview.

Many productions come to the Turks and Caicos Islands for the incredible beaches alone, but Sobe required a picture perfect beach and a luscious, tropical jungle.  This was the perfect opportunity to show production clientele we have much more to offer than jewel toned seas and powdery white sand.  One can even find a grotto, hidden amongst a mini rainforest, filled with the sounds of chirping birds and the steady flow of a streaming waterfall.  I believe everyone involved enjoyed the island, both while at work and most certainly at play, especially during our outrageously fun wrap party at the Gansevoort.  Multi-talented make up assistant Isaac Prado-Zazueto entertained the entire Bagatelle Bistro with his phenomenal hula hoop dancing!  Before long everyone wanted to give the hula hoop a whirl.  We hope to see you all back here in the TCI in the near future.

Happy 4th of July!

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Images by Slim Aarons originally posted on mrs lilien

I like the idea of an independence day weekend being spent near water; a lake, a river, an ocean – no matter, preferably with a bbq, a boat, and a cocktail nearby.  I like the idea of red, white, and blues, fruits, flags, and pies. But I can do WITHOUT the fireworks and if you want to know why, click to Declare your independence from toxic fireworks pollution.  Once you know that those beautiful blasts fill the environment and your lungs with cancer and chemicals, I bet you’ll agree that you could do without them too.  
Doesn’t this blondy scream All-American?   Khaki, gingham, stripes, and pearly whites.  I don’t dwelve much into the topic of fashion but in honor of my homeland, I want to spread the word on a company that hits close to home, the 1939 clothier.  This one is for the fellas, a California based gentleman’s brand of well-mades in the good ol’ US of A.   Jimmy is family and Jimmy’s blog is fantastic, a great slice of Americana-classic cars, denim, and yard sales.

Photographs taken between 1916-1919, depictions were created using hundreds of people